A recent Reddit post highlighted the uncomfortable situation a passenger faced when dealing with a seat squatter, not because of the squatter themselves, but due to the surprising reaction of fellow passengers. The Reddit user, flying on United Airlines, approached their assigned window seat only to find it occupied. Upon politely informing the woman in the seat that she was in their spot, the user was met with annoyance, not from the squatter, but from surrounding passengers who suggested they simply take the squatter's assigned seat.

The situation escalated as other passengers became increasingly agitated, prompting the Reddit user to temporarily move to allow others to board. The woman in the wrong seat attempted to contact her daughter, who had apparently booked the flight, while fellow passengers continued to pressure the rightful seat owner to accept a different seat. Eventually, the woman moved, but not without glaring at the user who had simply requested their assigned seat. The Reddit user expressed shock at the hostility they encountered, emphasizing that they had remained calm and polite throughout the ordeal.

Other Reddit users chimed in, speculating that the squatter and the surrounding passengers might have been working together to pressure the user into accepting a less desirable seat. Some suggested a more assertive approach, recommending the user offer their assigned seat to the other passengers while firmly claiming their own. Another user shared a similar experience, emphasizing the importance of remaining polite but firm when dealing with such situations.

The incident underscores the increasing prevalence of seat squatting on flights and the varying motivations behind it. While some instances are accidental, others involve deliberate attempts to upgrade seats. Brandon Blewett, author of "How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes," notes that it's often possible to distinguish between accidental squatters and those intentionally trying to switch seats, particularly by their willingness to show their boarding pass.